Anthony Onifade

Fri 14 July 2023 8:25, UK

Tottenham attacker Dejan Kulusevski has admitted he was “disappointed” with his form last season, and the 2023/24 campaign certainly represents a significant one for him as an official Spurs player.

The former Juventus ace officially completed his permanent switch from Turin last month, signing a five-year deal with the Premier League club, for a reduced fee of around £25m (Daily Mail, 17 June).

The Sweden winger initially joined Spurs on an 18-month loan in January 2022, with an option to buy for £29.2m. During his loan spell, Kulusevski scored seven goals in 57 appearances and helped Spurs secure Champions League qualification in 2021-22.

His first loan campaign was a sensational breakthrough one for the Swede as he emerged as one of the club’s bright sparks, registering an impressive five goals and eight assists from 18 games played.

However, last season, the Swedish international suffered a worrying drop-off. Despite starting the campaign in fine form, the Swedish winger suffered an injury ahead of the World Cup and struggled after the winter break – with only two goals to his name for the entire season.

In an interview [via Evening Standard, 20 June], the 23-year-old admitted it was a disappointing and frustrating one for him due to the injuries, admitting that neither his personal contribution nor the team’s form was up to standard, as they finished eighth in a rather disastrous 22/23 campaign.

He said: “It’s been quite a ride, up and down, very frustrating, I think. We started well, so you have to sum it up in many ways, before the World Cup, after the World Cup… before the World Cup, it feels like another season.

“You have to think about a lot of things. I’m happy, I’m grateful, I think I’ve learned a lot.

“Of course, I’ve been disappointed personally. After the World Cup, I didn’t think I played well enough. Also, the team hasn’t been good enough, especially in the last few months where we tried everything, but it just wasn’t to be.”

Following his permanent move and Tottenham now under new management in Ange Postecoglou, Kulusevski will of course be desperate for a clean slate under the Australian, and he certainly won’t be the only one.

Although the Swede did not enjoy the best season personally last year, he is still a young, extraordinarily gifted performer and there are few wingers of his quality and uniqueness on the market right now.

The stats support this and prove he should be one of the first names on Ange Postecgolou’s team sheet next season, with the former Celtic boss favouring a more attack-minded, progressive and expansive style, one which Kulusevksi should thrive in.

As per FBREF, during his debut season in the Premier League after arriving in January, the right-winger registered 0.57 assists per 90 which placed him in the top two per cent of his positional peers in the division.

Even last season, despite his struggles and misfortune with injury issues, he was still able to provide seven league assists in a poor Spurs side.

Last season was indeed a drop-off for Kulusevski, picking up an average rating of 6.83 compared to the 7.21 score he picked up at the end of the 2021/22 campaign, playing more than 10 games less [SofaScore].

However, his attacking influence despite Spurs’ struggles still made for impressive reading, registering seven big chances created, 1.6 key passes per game and toppling his xA [expected assists] of 4.76 with seven assists. Such numbers certainly highlight his superb creativity and willingness to influence proceedings even despite the struggles of those around him.

The 23-year-old is brilliant one-on-one with a full-back when carrying the ball toward the box and proved that during his first full Premier League season as he completed 2.18 successful take-ons per 90, placing him in the 87th percentile [FBRef].

His 2.09 carries into the penalty area per 90 demonstrate his attacking threat from wide areas. So imagine what he could do in a progressive, possession-based and high-octane system such as Postecoglou’s, where wingers were tasked with picking up dangerous areas in the half-spaces as well as out-wide while his full-backs stayed in close proximity to them to ensure numerical advantages against low blocks and a quick and swift style of football to disrupt the opposition.

The 23-year-old could certainly wreak havoc, playing alongside the likes of new signing James Maddison and Pedro Porro on that right-flank, giving Spurs a whole new dimension when faced up against low blocs and rigid defences, something the club struggled with desperately last season.

The Swedish international is such a unique attacking outlet for Tottenham, a player who is very rare to find across the continent, considering his capabilities to thrive in different systems and formations. Kulusevski certainly thrived under Conte’s counter-attacking style but he could well reach a whole new level under Postecoglou before long.

The 23/24 campaign is set to be his biggest season yet. Watch this space.

In other Tottenham news, Postecoglou’s arrival may benefit one young full-back.